Alma Struggles, Loses Two at Hope
HOLLAND, Mich. - Alma College baseball lost two games to Hope Monday afternoon in Holland, 6-1 and 5-3 to fall to 9-12 (5-7 MIAA). The Scots next travel to Olivet for a Thursday doubleheader.
In game one, Hope generated offense early - and often - to take a six run lead before Alma could add a run in the top of the sixth. The Dutch scored a run in the bottom of the first and the third, three more in the fourth and another in the fifth before Alma had Brandon Shorter (Alanson) get on base with a single before Ray Ribitch (Mt. Pleasant), the school's stolen base leader, was on base with Shorter out at second on the fielder's choice. Pat Ott (East Lansing) ground out to the pitcher for the second out of the inning, advancing Ribitch to second. A deep single by Pete Ott (East Lansing) allowed Ribitch to score the Scots' only run of the game before Pat McGuire (Clare) went down looking to end the inning. Alma generated just three hits with Josh Reece (Norton Shores/Musekgon Mona Shorea) carding the other in addition to Ott and Shorter's hits in the sixth.
Brandon Teenier (Holly) got the start for the Scots, falling to 3-2 on the season, allowing five hits and five runs in four innings of work, striking out four. John Fillmore (Midland) finished the game, striking out three in two innings and allowing just one run on one hit.
The second game saw the Flying Dutchmen carry over their offensive spark, putting up three runs in the bottom of the first inning against pitcher Wade Slavik (Ashley/Fulton-Middleton) including an unearned run.
Alma battled back with a three-run fourth inning when McGuire led off with a single before Mike Slesinski (Milford) struck out for the first out of the inning. Reece singled to move the runner and Mike Zuehlke (Mt. Pleasant) singled to score McGuire and put Reece into scoring position. Dan Merian (Milford) flied out for the second out before Shorter took base when he was hit by pitch. A Ribitch single plated Reece and Zuehlke before Pat Ott took base on a fielder's choice with Ribitch out at first.
With the game tied at three runs apiece, Shorter moved from his spot at shortstop to the pitcher's mound in the sixth inning where he walked Sommavilla for the go-ahead runner. An error at second allowed Lutke to reach base and move Sommavilla to second. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners ahead and a single from McKenzie scored Sommavilla before a fly out to center field allowed Lutke to score for Hope's five runs.
Alma would generate just one hit in the top of the seventh.
Alma returns to action Thursday when it travels to Olivet.
Posted: Mon, April 10th, 2006 at 8:28PM
